The influence of the theology and philosophy of Augustine of Hippo on subsequent Western thought and culture is undisputed. Prayer after Augustine: A Study in the Development of the Latin Tradition argues that the notion of the 'Augustinian tradition' needs to be re-thought; and that already in the generation after Augustine in the West such a re-thinking is already and richly manifest in more than one influential form. In this work, Jonathan D. Teubner encourages philosophical, moral, and historical theologians to think about what it might mean that the Augustinian tradition formed in a distinctively Augustinian fashion, and considers how this affects how they use, discuss, and evaluate Augustine in their work. This is exemplified by Augustine's reflections on prayer and how they were taken up, modified, and handed on by Boethius and Benedict, two critically influential figures for the development of Latin medieval philosophical and theological cultures. Teubner analyses and exemplifies the particular theme of prayer and the other topics it constellates in Augustine and to show how it already forms a distinctively 'Augustinian' concept of tradition that was to prove to have fascinatingly diverse manifestations. Part I traces the development of Augustine's understanding of prayer. Patience and hope as articulated in prayer sit at the centre of Augustine's understanding of Christian existence. In Part II, Teubner turns to suggest how this is picked up by Boethius and Benedict.
About the AuthorJonathan D. Teubner is Fernand Braudel Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
ReviewsThis is a path-breaking study of theological (and, more broadly, behavioural) traditions for our post-Dogmengeschichte era. * Mark Vessey, Journal of Ecclesiastical History *
This book is a work of first-class scholarship. It is meticulously researched, its innovative and important thesis unfolds with skill and sophistication, and compellingly it does not fit very neatly into any one disciplinary box. It is historical, theological, philosophical and ethical all at once. In other words, it does what good systematic theology should do -- think outside of these boxes and take with renewed systematic seriousness the tradition-transmitting practices of the church. * Ashley Cocksworth, International Journal of Systematic Theology *
This work is historical theology at its finest. * Coleman M. Ford, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and L.R. Scarborough College, Reading Religion *
a rich study ... Surely the book makes a strong contribution to the series * Rebecca Harden Weaver, Augustiniana *
AwardsWinner of Winner - Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award 2019.
Book InformationISBN 9780198767176
Author Jonathan D. TeubnerFormat Hardback
Page Count 266
Imprint Oxford University PressPublisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 568g
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 163mm * 22mm